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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kumbam Karai Sertha

From Kumbakarai Thangaiah · 1991

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kumbakarai Thangaiah1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………………...
Female
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Chorus :Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaChorus: Oh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Female :Onna pola thangam ooril illa engumFemale: There is no gold like you anywhere in this village,
Enga ooru singam endrum ullam pongumYou are the lion of our village, our hearts overflow with joy,
Engengum nadathu rajangamRule your kingdom everywhere!
Female
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Chorus :Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaChorus: Oh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Female
Pattaada katti paarattum kuttiDraped in silk attire, the praising young girl,
Eppodhum machaanai thottaadudhuAlways plays and lovingly touches her cousin,
Male :Poomalai rendu kaiyodu konduMale: Holding two flower garlands in hand,
Pottaalae sandhosam vandhaadudhuWhen she places them, joy dances in the heart,
Female
Ven mullai poo mudichu theduthu paaduthuAdorned with white jasmine, searching and singing,
Kann indru kaavalindri ooduthuToday, eyes run free without any guard,
Male
Venpattu saelai kondu mooduthu kooduthuWrapped and gathered in a white silk saree,
Vetkathil dhegamindru vaaduthuToday, the body wilts in shyness,
Female
Thikkettam melam ennaWhat is this drumbeat sounding in all eight directions?
Chorus :Thanaethanna thanae thannaChorus: Thanaethanna thanae thanna
Female :Theruvengum kolam ennaFemale: What are these colorful rangoli patterns all across the street?
Chorus :Thanaethanna thanae thannaChorus: Thanaethanna thanae thanna
Male
Thikkettam melam ennaWhat is this drumbeat sounding in all eight directions?
Theruvengum kolam ennaWhat are these colorful rangoli patterns all across the street?
Female
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aa….Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Male
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Male
Un pola pulla orengum illaThere is no lad like you anywhere,
Oorkolam vaaraga poontherulaHe comes in a grand procession on the flower chariot,
Female :Anbaana pulla un ullam vellaFemale: Kind-hearted lad, your heart is as pure as white,
Kannaara kandomae nammoorulaeWe saw it with our own eyes in our village,
Male
Kattukkum kaavalukkum kooduma vaadumaWill it wither or be bound by rules and guards?
Kaathukku vaeli enna venumaaDoes the free wind ever need a fence?
Female :Thangathaan neruppu thaakuma pokkumaaFemale: Can fire ever affect or harm pure gold?
Singatha poonai enna jaikkumaCan a cat ever defeat a majestic lion?
Male
Unkitta raasiyunduYou possess divine fortune and charm,
Chorus :Thanaethanna thanae thannaChorus: Thanaethanna thanae thanna
Male :Oorukku needhiyunduMale: There is justice in this village,
Chorus :Thanaethanna thanae thannaChorus: Thanaethanna thanae thanna
Female
Unkitta raasiyunduYou possess divine fortune and charm,
Oorukku needhiyunduThere is justice in this village,
Male
Aaa….aaa….aaa…aa….Aaa... aaa... aaa... aa...
Dham dham tharikida thakitta thakittaDham dham tharikida thakitta thakitta
Female
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Male :Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaMale: Oh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Female
Onna pola thangam ooril illa engumThere is no gold like you anywhere in this village,
Male :Enga ooru singam endrum ullam pongumMale: You are the lion of our village, our hearts overflow with joy,
Both :Engengum nadathu rajangamBoth: Rule your kingdom everywhere!
Chorus
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!
Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaaOh Thangaiah, who brought the sacred pot safely to the shore,
Onakku kodi vanakkamaiyaaA crore greetings to you, sir!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kumbam karai sertha thangaiyaa is a festive and exuberant folk song celebrating the hero, Thangaiah, who is revered as a righteous, courageous leader by his village. The title refers to the completion of a sacred ritual where the holy pot (Kumbam) is brought safely to shore, symbolizing prosperity and spiritual success for the community.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Metaphor / Simile)

Onna pola thangam ooril illa engum

Compares the protagonist's pure and precious nature to pure gold.

Uvamaani (Metaphor)

Enga ooru singam endrum ullam pongum

Refers to the hero as the 'lion of the village', symbolizing strength, bravery, and leadership.

Vinaa Ani (Rhetorical Question)

Kaathukku vaeli enna venumaa

Uses a rhetorical question comparing freedom to wind to emphasize that true virtue and spirit cannot be confined by fences or rules.

Ethirai / Monai (Alliteration & Rhyme)

Thangathaan neruppu thaakuma pokkumaa / Singatha poonai enna jaikkuma

Contrast and rhyming pairing of gold vs. fire and lion vs. cat to show the hero's invincibility.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the input context, Kumbakarai Thangaiah (1991) feature film music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, directed by Gangai Amaran, and starred Prabhu and Kanaka in the main roles.

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